Jeff, I think just the idea of abandoning our old secure beliefs is too much for many people to take. When I saw the Patriot Act sweep through Congress I knew we were in serious trouble.
The largest problem of this encroachment is that too many people truly believe we need it. Second in line was the faith people have in politicians. They do not want to review the lies we have been told and demand corrections from their leaders liars. Continuing to search for the good moves while ignoring and shunning all knowledge of the bad ones isn't the way to operate a business or a free country.
I agree...but I believe that there are enough who do see it to make the difference as we move forward.
Klamath was a good microcosm. Those folks didn;t want to believe it either...but when things kept going, ultimately a very dedicated minority of them stepped into the breach and made the difference.
That will ultimately come on a larger scale...through efforts of many people in grassroots causes, we are hastening that time IMHO.
BTW, after Dragon's Fury, my next effort in late 2004 will be a book about the Klamath experience:
THE STAND AT KLAMATH FALLS
How rural western farmers stood up against entrenched
environmentalism and agencies of the federal government...and won!
Best Fregards, and the very best and true meaning and Peace of this season to you and yours.